Letters: U.S. must push fuel efficiency

The U.S. must push fuel efficiency
The recent disastrous accidents that occurred in a coal mine and BP’s deep water oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico should certainly be a wake-up call that our insatiable desire for a fossil fuel energy supply cannot continue unchecked.

Energy companies are seeking oil and coal in areas that are beyond their technical ability to assure a safe supply. There is an abundance of oil available in shallow continental shelf areas that are currently off limits to drilling.

More importantly, the need for more nuclear power should be readily apparent. The all important disposal of nuclear waste has been studied for many years and unfortunately is mired in a political stalemate.

The United States must adopt a serious energy and climate policy. Greater fuel efficiency would be a great place to start.
--PAUL WELCH
--Longmeadow

Negative ads used by both parties
Regarding GOP attack ads and the resulting intrigue sparked by some citizen commentators on the current political atmosphere: why is there so much ongoing surprise?

Negativity is used by all parties because it works, and politics is treated as a contact sport. It is difficult to find issue clarity when both parties engage in personal attacks and political assassination.

Consider: Bush lied and troops died; Clinton did not have sex with that woman; Mark Sanford got a little off the Appalachian Trail and ended in Argentina; Timothy Cahill would not waste or misspend state money if he were governor, but those mean Republicans keep bringing up his past record; Atty. Gen. Blumenthal misspoke (It would be a lie if he were Republican) about his non-Vietnam service and then in the height of arrogance said he’s not going to allow anyone to distort his record. His opposition won’t want to distort his record, the truth.

As for the Massachusetts elections being for Massachusetts voters, tell that to the citizens of New Jersey, Virginia, California, Pennsylvania and Iowa just to name a few. And there were busloads of people who went to New Hampshire during the last election cycle to help others make up their minds. All of the states mentioned have had huge influxes of outsiders arriving in droves to help determine outcomes. Some even from Springfield.

There is an obvious bias in this country where some feel a “D” after a candidate’s name stands for delightful and an “R” for rapturous. I totally disbelieve anyone who says, “I’ve finally made up my mind based on the negativity of the other side.”

On a personal note: I’ve known individuals for nearly 50 years who have never voted for a candidate of the opposition party and never will, yet they like to be seen as open minded.

In closing, candidates generally have a record to run on or from. Past performance is still a good indicator of future performance.
--CHARLES F. ROSOSKY
--Springfield

High school grads should have shot at NBA
I am a student at American International College concerned about the NBA rule prohibiting high school basketball players from skipping college. As an athlete I think it is both unfair and unethical to forbid basketball players from skipping college and going directly to the NBA.

Though, in theory, the idea is to encourage maturation and education, I think it is frankly very hypocritical. It’s unethical to say to someone who is qualified that they cannot be allowed to make a living for themselves. This is basically what is happening.

Other sports like baseball, tennis and soccer allow teenagers to play pro so why not basketball? The fact is that many of these kids are flat-out good enough to skip college development and can compete in the NBA right away. Let those who are ready and capable make the jump, the rest of the kids can and should go to college.
--ALLEN ARAGBAYE
--Springfield

Mexico responsible for policing border
It seems to me that those who advocate boycotting Arizona should turn their efforts to the source of the immigration problem – the Mexican government.

They should be held accountable for not creating jobs for their citizens and thereby denying them a decent living. When did Mexico become our responsibility? We have always stepped up and helped any country in need but not to the point of denying our own citizens.

President Barack Obama is telling Mexican President Felipe Calderon that he will “look into the new law passed by Arizona to make sure there is no discrimination.” My question is: Discrimination against whom – U.S. citizens who have worked all their lives and are facing Social Security cuts and no cost of living raises for two years, and are now facing higher mandatory Medicare costs?
--G. HUNTER
--East Longmeadow